MESSIAH (mes-si'ah), (Heb. maw-shee akh; Sept. Xptomr6s, anointed).
(1) The Anointed. In both languages this word signifies the same thing, viz., anointed. Hence Gr. Khris-tos', xparr6s, the anointed priest, for the Hebrew, the high priest (Lev. iv : 3, 5, 16). In order to have an accurate idea of the scriptural application of the term, we must consider the custom of anointing which obtained amongst the Jews. That which was specifically set apart for God's service was anointed, whether persons Or thingS. (See ANOINTING.) Thus We read that Jacob poured oil upon the pillar (Gen. xxviii :r8, 22). The tabernacle also and its uten sils were anointed (Lev. viii :ro), being thereby appropriated to God's service.
But this ceremony had, moreover, relation to persons. Thus priests, as Aaron and his sons, were anointed that they might minister unto God (Exod. x1:13, 15).
Kings were anointed. Hence it is that a king is designated the Lord's anointed in the Hebrew, and in the Greek the anointed of the Lord. Saul and David were, according to the divine appoint ment, anointed by Samuel (r Sam. x :r ; xv:r ; xvi :3, 13). Zadok anointed Solomon, that there might be no dispute who should succeed David (1 Kings i :39).
We cannot speak with confidence as to whether the prophets were actually anojnted with the ma terial oil. We have neither an express law nor practicesto this effect on record. True it is that Elijah is commanded to anoint Elisha to be prophet in his room (1 Kings xix :16) ; but no more may be meant by this expression than that he should constitute him his successor in the prophetic office ; for all that he did, in executing his divine commission, was to cast his own gar ment upon Elisha (1 Kings xix :19) ; upon which he rose and tninistered unto him (verse 21). For kings and priests the precept and practice are unquestionable.
(2) Redeemer of Humanity. But the name Messiah is, par excellence, applied to the Re deemer of man in the Old Testament (Dan. ix :25; Ps. ii :2). The words of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, at the close of her divine song, are very remarkable (r Sam. ii :to) : 'The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces ; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them ; the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth ; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his Messiah.'
The Hebrews as yet had no king; hence the pas sage may be taken as a striking prophecy of the promised deliverer. In various parts of the New Testament is this epithet applied to Jesus. St. Peter (Acts x :36, 38) informs Cornelius the centurion that God had anointed Jesus of Naza reth to be the Christ, and our Lord himself ac knowledges to the woman of Samaria that he is the expected Messiah (John iv :25). This term, however, as applied to Jesus, is less a manse than the expression of his office.
Thus the Jews had in type, under the Mosaic dispensation, what we have in substance under the Christian system. The prophets, priests and kings of the former economy were types of Him who sustains these offices as the head of his mys tical body, the Church. (See MEDIATOR.) As the priests and kings of old were set apart for their offices and dignities by a certain form pre scribed in the law of Moses, so was the blessed Savior by a better anointing (of which the for mer was but a shadow), even by the Holy Ghost. Thus the apoLtle tells us that God-anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power (Acts x :38). He was anointed : First, at his conception; the angel tells Mary, 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God ' (Luke i :35).
Second, at his baptism at the River Jordan (Matt. iii :13 ; Mark i :9, ro, r, 12). St. Luke moreover records (Luke iv :t7, 2t) that our Lord being at Nazareth, he had given unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah ; and on reading from ch. lxi 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,' etc., he said to his hearers, 'This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.' (3) Prophecy. But as the Jews will not ac knowledge the right of either Jesus or his apostles to apply the prophetic passages which point to the Messiah to himself, it now remains for us to show— First, That the promised Messiah has already COMe.